Joe Thornton a captain again

PRAGUE — Joe Thornton was named captain of the Sharks on Thursday, a distinction he once held as a 23-year-old while a member of the Bruins. Thornton gets the C after the offseason retirement of Rob Blake.

Dan Boyle is set to be the first alternate captain, with Patrick Marleau wearing the A for home games and Ryan Clowe wearing it on the road. Marleau had previously captained the team but lost his captaincy in the summer of 2009.

Thornton remained captain of the Bruins until he was dealt to the Sharks during the 2005-06 season. In 12 NHL seasons, Thornton has racked up 931 points.

“You grow as you age, and you kind of mature as a player,” Thornton told the San Jose Mercury News. “I think you become more comfortable in your skin. Back then, you maybe let your game speak louder than your words and I think now you consider both. You can stand up and tell guys how it is or just go out and play.”